Are You Just a Hollow Shell?

I took last Sunday off…and the world kept on going without me. Can you believe it?

This is a really sad confession. Last Sunday was probably the first day I've taken off - completely - in more than a year. I mean off. Didn't touch the computer (well, I did sneak a peak at e-mail first thing in the morning.)

I spent the day with my wife sitting on the deck in shorts and bare feet basking in the unseasonably warm weather.

Then we took a walk in the woods -- which we hadn't done in a long time - just to see what had changed. And after three years of living in the woods, not surprisingly...

Much had changed in the last few months. The beavers had built another dam on one of our streams and repaired one that had burst in last month's unseasonable downpours.

Amazing animals, they are terrific examples of instinctive nature at work - when water is flowing, beavers want a dam. They do anything to make sure that happens.

And they never take a day off. One beaver can clear 400 small trees each year and we've got at least half dozen beavers. But luckily, they don't venture too far from the streams, so our big trees in the deep woods are pretty safe.

If you want to see a really good nature movie (the 4th best-selling IMAX movie of all time), get Beavers: The Best Dam Movie You Ever Saw. It's a beautiful hour-long film about these incredible animals.

But other hazards can take even the biggest trees out. The last time we walked deep into the woods, we came upon one of our favorite big hickories. Like an Ent from The Lord of The Rings movies, it stood majestically near an old wagon trail hovering over the younger vegetation.

But not this time. A fall wind storm left over from one of the gulf hurricanes reached into our woods and dropped the 100-year old hickory, taking out nearly everything around it.

As we approached, we saw the tree laying across the grassy wagon road. An old trail at least 75-years old. It's well-packed from years of use by loggers and travelers between small towns in the Alabama countryside. We've seen the wagon road on maps dating back to the 1930's. And I'm sure that tree was there then.

Hickories are notorious for rotting inside. Find a good-sized hollow log in the woods and it's probably a hickory. The older they get, the harder and more brittle they become. And the more vulnerable to wind they become too.

Much like us humans.

But a hickory doesn't have a choice. We do.
I'm 54 years old. My dad was 50 when he had his first double bypass…notice I said "first."

I'm 20 pounds overweight. (Okay, 25…maybe 30 depending on when you catch me and which standard height-weight chart you use.)

My dad is 77 and walks three miles every morning before 6 a.m. and then plays 18 holes of golf three or four times each week.

My wife, turning 50 this year, is in the best shape of her life. She watches what she eats, works out three times a week at the gym, and runs three times each week.

I sit in front of the computer seven days a week…getting more hollow and brittle by the minute.

But the biggest danger is that like the old hickory, my core rots too.

Knowing what's important and ensuring that what's important is prioritized is the key. Last week, I wrote about how starting a forest fire was helping me put first things first.

Keeping that core healthy and strong is an absolute first thing that must come first. And it's not just physical.

Staying strong mentally and spiritually is just as important. And it all works together to make me a better husband, businessman, and human being.

So…

I'm not looking for a strong wind these days to knock me over. That's happened way too often in my life. But winds blow. And keeping the core solid is the key to weathering the storm.

To protect myself, constantly monitoring my internal life as well as my physical life will keep me motivated, keep me moving, keep me reaching for the sky just like that old hickory.

When I give up, and that solid core begins to rot, I'm in danger of toppling over. I'm in danger of crashing.

And I'm finally learning just how important it is to take time off to keep that core solid. Just one day off and I'm already much better. Let's see if I can take a day off every week…

What tips do you have for staying strong, healthy and well-balanced? Leave a comment below...

Comments

[HP van Duuren]

Tanks for your story about "Eager Beavers"...,

First of all take advise from
"Good Examples"

like me?! :)

(Really, I do have a "sixpack" tummy and like sports.)

Let it be a priority to take the time to Exercise about 20 min. or more each day before breakfast.

Frequently take time to RELAX to feel "One-ness", feel "Connected" able to trancend polarities and being greateful for what you have.

Read my eBook "A Vision for a Happy, Healthy & Rich LifeStyle" and my "Happy Vibe" Columns. :) you can find them on

"The Happiness Blog"

http://hpshappy.blogspot.com

Regards,
HPvD.

[Jane]

Take a look at the book 'Younger Next Year'. I'm 53 and I've started working out 6 days a week and eating better. My parents are 82 & 78 and in good shape. I want to be that age and in great shape. Good luck - let's all get health and fit this year!

[Carmen Black]

Everybody needs at least one day of rest a week. I feel that's very important. And one of the best habits I've developed over the past year is going walking almost every single day (unless it's raining!) The funny thing is, once you start doing it, you become almost addicted to having your walk. I began doing it this past spring when I had a day job that was really quite stressful. I realized when I was coming home in the evening feeling like I wanted to strangle someone that this wasn't good. One of my coworkers went walking every day during her lunch hour and she got me onto the idea. I did it every single night during the spring and summer months and still do it most days in the winter. I can't explain why or how, but that 20 or 30 minute walk every day can put an entirely different perspective on things, aside from the obvious health benefits. It's important to take a little time every day to take care of yourself in whatever way you can.

[Professor]

Hey David:

Your sabbath day savy runs with good company.

All CHIC-FIL-A Restaurants stay closed on Sundays and they're noted for their healthy fast food. They've always stayed closed on Sundays and their business keeps growing.

The man who founded Chic-fil-a, Truet Cathy, last i heard, is in his '80s and rides one of his many motorcycles though the mountains in north Georgia on Sundays. Or any day he feels like it.

May you keep growing well inside and out.

Peace,
Professor

[drperdew]

Hey, I'm agreeing!

You're absolutely right. Staying healthy, wealthy and wise as they say is good for everyone.

Health includes mental, physical and spiritual. There's a reason contented people say, "At least, I've got my health."

Listen, I heard the wake-up call. I'll report back on my progress later. Thanks Mike.

[Mike]

David, just imagine for a moment the terrible grief your wife will go through when you have your first heart attack and die. You owe it to her to get up and walk a mile, then 2 then 3, just so you can enjoy each others' company for years to come. Otherwise what's the point of working so hard?

I keep healthy not only for myself but for my family as well.
Cheers,
Mike